- A
The laptop's DNS server address is set to a public DNS like 8.8.8.8
Why wrong: Public DNS addresses typically work fine and would not prevent internet access; they might even improve performance.
- B
The laptop's default gateway address is incorrect
A wrong default gateway prevents the device from sending traffic outside its local subnet, which is exactly what is described.
- C
The laptop's IP address is set to a static address in the same subnet as the router
Why wrong: A static IP in the same subnet would still allow internet access if the gateway is correct; this would not cause the issue.
- D
The office Wi-Fi network is using a different SSID than expected
Why wrong: If the laptop connects to Wi-Fi, it is already using the correct SSID; a different SSID would prevent connection entirely.
Why Can My Laptop Connect to Wi-Fi but Not the Internet?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A customer reports that their laptop connects to the office Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet. Other devices on the same network work fine. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is an incorrect default gateway address, because when a laptop connects to Wi-Fi but not the internet, it indicates successful local network access but a failure in routing traffic beyond the local subnet. The default gateway is the router that forwards packets from your local network to external networks, so a mismatched or missing gateway address prevents the laptop from reaching the internet while still allowing it to communicate with other devices on the same LAN. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between layer 2 (local connectivity) and layer 3 (routing) issues; a common trap is blaming DNS or an IP conflict, but those typically cause name resolution failures or address duplication errors, not a complete inability to reach external sites. To remember this, think of the default gateway as the “exit door” for your network—if the laptop has the wrong door number, it can still talk to neighbors in the same room but can never leave the building.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The laptop's default gateway address is incorrect
The laptop can connect to the Wi-Fi network but cannot access the internet, while other devices work fine. This points to a client-side configuration issue. The default gateway is the router that forwards traffic from the local subnet to external networks; if the laptop's default gateway address is incorrect, its packets cannot leave the local subnet, breaking internet access while local connectivity remains.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The laptop's DNS server address is set to a public DNS like 8.8.8.8
Why it's wrong here
Public DNS addresses typically work fine and would not prevent internet access; they might even improve performance.
- ✓
The laptop's default gateway address is incorrect
Why this is correct
A wrong default gateway prevents the device from sending traffic outside its local subnet, which is exactly what is described.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The laptop's IP address is set to a static address in the same subnet as the router
Why it's wrong here
A static IP in the same subnet would still allow internet access if the gateway is correct; this would not cause the issue.
- ✗
The office Wi-Fi network is using a different SSID than expected
Why it's wrong here
If the laptop connects to Wi-Fi, it is already using the correct SSID; a different SSID would prevent connection entirely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that DNS is the root cause of internet access failure, but the trap here is that DNS only affects name resolution, not the ability to route packets to the internet; candidates must distinguish between connectivity to the local network and connectivity beyond the gateway.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The default gateway is the next-hop IP address for all traffic destined outside the local subnet. When a laptop has an incorrect gateway, its ARP cache may still resolve the gateway's MAC address, but the router will not forward the packets because they are not addressed to its own IP. In a typical /24 subnet, the gateway is often the first usable address (e.g., 192.168.1.1); a common mistake is setting it to a broadcast address or a non-existent host. The `ipconfig` (Windows) or `route -n` (Linux) command can verify the gateway setting.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's default gateway address is incorrect — The laptop can connect to the Wi-Fi network but cannot access the internet, while other devices work fine. This points to a client-side configuration issue. The default gateway is the router that forwards traffic from the local subnet to external networks; if the laptop's default gateway address is incorrect, its packets cannot leave the local subnet, breaking internet access while local connectivity remains.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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